In a significant development in the tragic nightclub fire case, Goa Police have made another arrest, taking the total number of accused in custody to nine. The latest individual apprehended is the operations manager of the venue where the blaze claimed 25 lives last year.
Ninth Arrest Made in Ongoing Investigation
The Anjuna Police, led by Police Inspector Suraj Gawas, took 38-year-old Bijay Kumar Singh into custody on Friday. Singh, a resident of Jharkhand, served as the manager (operations) of Birch by Romeo Lane, the upscale nightclub in Arpora that became the site of one of Goa's deadliest fire incidents. His arrest marks a continued effort by authorities to hold accountable those responsible for the catastrophe that unfolded on the night of December 6, 2025.
Recap of the Tragic Night at Arpora
The fatal incident occurred late on a Saturday night, with the fire erupting at around 11:45 PM. At the time, the venue was packed with more than 150 tourists who were attending a special event. The atmosphere of celebration turned into a nightmare in minutes.
Initial findings from the investigation pointed to a specific cause. A preliminary probe concluded that electric firecrackers, used during the event, struck the nightclub's wooden ceiling, igniting the fire that rapidly spread through the structure. The combination of highly flammable decor and a large crowd contributed to the scale of the tragedy.
Current Status of Other Accused
Singh is not the first key figure from the nightclub to be detained. The owners of Birch by Romeo Lane, Saurabh Luthra and Gaurav Luthra, were arrested earlier in the case. They currently remain in judicial custody as the legal proceedings continue. The arrest of the operations manager suggests investigators are meticulously examining the roles of both the management and the operational staff present during the ill-fated event.
The case has sent shockwaves through Goa's popular tourism and nightlife industry, raising serious questions about safety protocols, licensing, and enforcement at high-capacity entertainment venues. The police investigation remains active, and further developments are expected as they piece together the chain of events and liabilities that led to the immense loss of life.
